Book Information

Book Review Information - Suggested Character Building Books

Book Title and Author	Suggested Character Building Lessons within Book	Appropriate Grade Levels	Reviewed By
The Sulky Vulture by Sally Grindley	Dealing with our feelings, trying to help others	ECE-2	McNatt
Clancy: The Courageous Cow by Lachie Hume	Importance of diversity, Being different is okay, Being proud of who you are	ECE-3	McNatt
The Table Where Rich People Sit By Byrd Baylor	Mountain Girl thinks her family doesn't have enough money. Her mom and dad teach her what the true meaning of wealth is: sunsets, nature, and family. A great book!	3-5	Drumm
Salt in His Shoes by Deloris Jordan	About Michael Jordon. What it takes to be a champion: patience, determination, and hard work. Prayer plays a big part in this book too.	3-5	Drumm
Mean Soup by Betsy Everitt	Horace has a bad day and comes home angry. His mom helps him calm down by making "mean soup" with him (they yell, stick their tongues out, etc., at a boiling pot of water, where they eventually stir away the bad day.)	ECE-1	Soldner
Just Kidding by Trudy Ludwig	Dealing with bullying: how a boy moves to a new school and is bullied, learns ways to deal appropriately with bullying.	3-5	Soldner
Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester	Tacky is an eccentric penguin compared to the other penguins on the ice flow who are all neat, sleek, tasteful little birds in formal dress. He is somewhat of an outsider, but that all changes when his quirky style saves the penguins from hunters. Then he is a hero! Good message about tolerance and being an individual. Good Tier II Vocab: ie., odd, graceful, hearty.	1 - 4	Fox
Glasses: Who needs 'em? by Lane Smith	This is a weird little picture book with illustrations that look like something out of a bad dream! (Which many kids may find appealing!) It's about a boy who doesn't want to get glasses, but is convinced when a mad optometrist shows him all the strange things he will be able to see. The message might be . . . look beyond the surface of things. The book could be used as an example of some creative crafting techinquies ie., repetitive lines, interesting layout, point of view, voice.	4 - 5	Fox
Owen by Kevin Henkes	Cute little story about a toddler mouse who doesn't want to give up his blankie. So, it's about not wanting to grow up and accept change in life. He needs to let it go as he enters school, but won't, no matter what parents do. Mom solves it by cutting it into a small handkerchief size that he can carry and still be socially accepted. Growing up and going to school would be the theme for me.	ece-1	Diehl
Hey, World, Here I Am! by Jean Little	It's a collection of poetry and prose, 90 pages. Lots of little writings about coming of age stuff for girls, especially. The main character is Kate, and it's about her thoughts and feelings about everyting from growing up to friendship to life and to love. Often humorous. Explores differences in beliefs and true friendship....babysitting, walking to school, teachers, class projects, feelings towards siblings, conversational and inner thought writings. Great for preteens, but I'm sure some of this could be read to little kids too.	mainly intermediate, but could be read alouds for all grades	Diehl
The Recess Queen by Alexis O'Neill	Mean Jean is the Recess Queen-more like the recess bully. Until one day some one asks her play with them and turns out Mean Jean isn's so mean after all. Good for lessons on bullying and empathy.	K-3 Although the rhymes could be used with ELL of any grade.
The Straight Line Wonder by Mem Fox	Be oneself even though others ridicule you.	K-5	Christensen
Buzzy the Bumblebee by Denise Brennan-Nelson	Fear can get in the way of being who you are. Don't listen to others, but believe in yourself; and you can do anything!	K-3	Christensen
Horace and Morris but mostly Delores James Howe	Cute story about friendship. Boys and girls can be friends and enjoy the same things. Also, speaks to making new friends while keeping old ones!	ECE-3	Breen
Duck and Goose Tad Hills	In this story Duck and Goose find a ball, which they thought was an egg. Initially they fight over whose egg it is, they both care for it and don't intend to share. In the end they learn from eachother and plan to share whatever pops out of the egg...and teach it everything they know. A small bird eventually tells them it's a ball and they play together. In short it is a book about sharing and learning from others.	ECE-3	Breen
Swimmy by Leo Lionni	A story of courage, communication and teamwork: acceptance and strength!	4th Grade	Greco
*BUB or the Very Best Thing By Natalie Babbitt	Two parents struggle to figure out what their son needs from them most. They search, ask questions of many people, read and travel all over. When ironically they figure out that all they need to do is ask their son. He knows EXACTLY! ITS ALL ABOUT LOVE!	4th Grade	Greco
Leo the Late Bloomer By Robert Kraus	Leo isn't reading, writing, drawing, or even speaking, and his father is concerned. Leo's mother isn't concerned though, she knows her son will do all those things, and more, when he's ready. This book could be used for: -investigating family relationships -learning that people grow differently and are able to do things at different times -exploring the importance of self esteem	ECE-2nd	Martinez, V.
My Secret Bully By Trudy Ludwig	A young girl named Monica is being bullied by one of her friends at school. Monica learns to face her fears of betrayal and social isolation, and reclaims her power from the bully with the help of a supportive adult--her mother. This book can be used to tackle the issue of bullying in the classroom, and it provides helpful tips, discussion questions and additional resources for parents, teachers and counselors.	3-5	Martinez, V.
The Carrot Seed By Ruth Krauss	This book is simple and refreshing. It tells about a little boy who shows determination and faith despite what others say about his little carrot seed. The story reminds us that things don't just happen over night, it takes time and hard work. Eventually his hard work is rewarded!	ECE-3	Stankovich
Frederick By Leo Lionni	Wonderful illustrations (Caldecott Honor) This story is about teamwork and the unique role of every individual. In the beginning, it appears that Frederick is being very lazy because he is not helping the other mice prepare for the long winter months ahead, but eventually we realize that what he has to offer is equally as valuable. Imagination, creativity and language enrich our lives and help us cope with difficult situations. Could be analyzed on multiple level, perhaps a good intro to 'small moments' unit. Good when talking about descriptive language.	ECE-5	Stankovich